Every so often, we notice an alert posted by a shatnez agency, letting us know that an item that should not have a posed a shatnez concern actually contains shatnez. Does that mean that we can never buy a garment without checking it? Why can’t we rely on halachic concepts such as rov (majorities) to obviate the need to check any garment?
An in-depth look at changing manufacturing processes answers these questions, and more.

He is referred to by the earliest Rishonim as the “light of the Diaspora” and the “father of the Diaspora.” Most of us are most familiar with him because of his enactments, enforced with a cherem (excommunication). How did Rabbeinu Gershom come to be referred by those titles, and why did he enact his ordinances?
Rabbi Eli Stern pieces together sketchy historical records to bring us the life story of Rabbeinu Gershom Meor HaGolah.

The name Dona Gracia may mean little to most of us, the name Beatriz de Luna even less. But 500 years ago, she was the most powerful woman — perhaps the most powerful person — in the Jewish world. Dona Gracia ran a clandestine operation that foiled many of the Inquisition’s plans, smuggling thousands of Jews out from its grasp, under the guise of a lucrative spice trading company. As events are held worldwide this year marking 500 years since her birth, Rabbi Eliezer Eisikovits unveils her amazing story.